Katarina the Dragonslayer and the Foebreaker's Curse by Samuel Medina

Living in a world scarred by an ancient conflict between magic and technology, Katarina is a half-elven slave girl determined to find freedom and adventure. When she takes a pair of ancient swords from a cave, she is blamed for her master's death. Her frantic attempt to escape torture and death at the hands of a vengeful mob forces her to risk the nameless terrors of the King's Road, which is said to have been cursed because of a Foebreaker, a living machine of war that laid waste to the Southlands long ago.

3.5 Stars, O Flames

Three people are the deciding force for a land on the precipice of change, the Exponent, the Balance, and the Catalyst. The variable with the most influence for good or ill is the Catalyst. The Catalyst is sought out by both sides, each with their own agenda. One will use her to restart the dormant Foebreaker, a machine of war that nearly destroyed the planet. The other want her to fight with them, keep their planet safe. This is the Catalyst's story.

Young Katarina witnesses the murder of her master and when she tells the town a dragon did it, no one believes her. In fact they accuse her of doing the deed. But when the rogue dragon attacks the town, it is Katarina who defeats the dragon with 2 blades she discovered earlier that day in a cave. Escaping to freedom, she joins an elderly elf, Oren Kellmire, as he travels to the border lands seeking knowledge of a disease that is altering the dragons, turning them into mindless killing machines who have reverted to their basest instincts. They are joined on their journey by two arrogant, often comedic (not the dragon's intentions of course) dragons willing to assist in finding a cure. Under Oren's tutelage Katarina discovers there is more to her than meets the eye and Oren may know the secrets which will help her discover who she really is.

At times it was confusing trying to determine who was narrating the story, and the pace felt a little rushed in some points. However, the world is well thought out and the character interaction and development is great. Though the character was not in the book long, I liked Grey Ghost and hope to see more of him in future installments. As always with sci-fi/fantasy books I am amazed with the imagination of the authors and Mr. Medina does not disappoint. I enjoyed Katarina the Dragonslayer and the Foebreaker's Curse and look forward to continuing the series.

Posted by Emily
posted by Emily

Dreamwielder by Garrett Calcaterra

In a world shrouded by soot and smoke, young Makarria has literally been forbidden to dream…

Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian’s minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian’s new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.

Dogging their every step is the part-wolf, part-raven sorcerer, Wulfram, and Emperor Guderian, himself, a man who has the ability to stint magic and a vision to create a world where the laws of nature are beholden to men and machines. Only by learning to control the power she wields can Makarria save her newfound companions and stop the Emperor from irreversibly exterminating both the magic in humans and their bond with nature.

4 Stars, 0 Flames

I was swept away from the moment I began reading Dreamwielder to the turning of the last page. I love reading sci-fi, but for some reason I don't pick one up as often as I do a romance. I am so glad I clicked on Dreamwielder, because from the cover you don't automatically think sci-fi. I'm used to mythical creatures on the covers. The journey begins with Makarria, a young girl of twelve, with a vast untapped power to dream and what she dreams, can become reality. For years her parents and grandfather have attempted to keep her powers hidden, but as she reaches maturity the power seems to grow more and more out of control. What Makarria doesn't know, what she hasn't been told, is that the Emporer and his sorceror, Wulfram, have been systematically killing all those with the potential for power, especially females. Wulfram is able to "sniff" out the use of great power with scent-hounds, women who were merged with large compasses, the spike of the compass protruding through their stomachs, so that the women can turn toward the direction they "scented" a magic user. And one night, they catch scent of Makarria. Knowing that time is of the essence, Parmo (Makarria's grandfather) absconds with her in the middle of the night in hopes of eluding Emporer Guderian and Wulfram. So begins the tale of Makarria. On her journey she will cross paths with others who are searching for the prophesied child of royal blood. Some to protect her, and others to exploit her powers to gain control of the empire.

I think what I like about most sci-fi books is how the story is told through multiple voices, rather than just the hero/heroine of romance novels. A sign of a good book to me is one where the author is able to juggle all those voices, story lines, action and world building without confusing me, the reader. Its so annoying to have to constantly flip back to previous chapters to recall who a character is or where they came from, why are they there in the book?! Mr. Calcaterra pulls this off wonderfully, no back flipping in this one. The only thing I have to say that's negative about the book, and its small, is that the pace seems to stumble just before the climax of the story begins, that lull before the storm. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book, and will probably read it again...yes, I am one of those readers who can read a book multiple times and still sigh when I finish it...for the 5th time. Four stars, 0 flames for Dreamwielder, by Garrett Calcaterra.

On a side note, I wasn't able to find this title on Amazon but you can find it here:  https://ganxy.com/i/74538/garrett-calcaterra/dreamwielder and also on iTunes.

I requested this book for review on Netgalley.com
Posted by Emily

Blood's Pride by Evie Manieri

Rising from their sea-torn ships like vengeful, pale phantoms, the Norlanders laid waste to the Shadar under cover of darkness. They forced the once-peaceful fisher folk into slavery and forged an alliance with their former trading partners, the desert-dwelling Nomas tribe, cutting off any hope of salvation.

Now, two decades after the invasion, a rebellion gathers strength in the dark corridors of the city. A small faction of Shadari have hired the Mongrel, an infamous mercenary, to aid their fledgling uprising—but with her own shadowy ties to the region, she is a frighteningly volatile ally. Has she really come to lead a revolution, or for a more sinister purpose all her own?

This thrilling new epic fantasy is set in a quasi-Medieval Mediterranean region, drawing together the warrior culture of Vikings, the wanderlust of desert nomads, and the oracles of ancient Greece. Blood's Pride is an intricate, lush book full of taut action, gut-wrenching betrayal, and soaring romance.

4 Stars, 2 Flames


Twenty years ago, the Shadari were betrayed by one of their religious leaders, an asha, when he revealed the mystical properties of a black ore found in their land. The Norlanders attacked Shadar to mine this valuable black ore for use in their weapons. For when the black ore was combined with the warrior's blood he/she could control the weapon with their thoughts and hands. The people of Shadar waited for a signal or help from their powerful leaders, waited for them to descend from their temples and beat back the invaders. Instead, they were abandoned by them as every asha leapt to their death.

Now every able bodied citizen is used to mine the precious black ore, and the more comely are sent to work as servants to the Norlanders who live in the temple. Norlanders are pale, luminous people who communicate telepathically and are empathic as well. Their skin cannot stand the kiss of the sun, as it burns there skin, and if they burn long enough, their blood becomes a poison in their veins. The Shadari are one of the few races unable to "speak" the Norlanders native tongue. They also do not read or write as only the ashas could do so for prayers to their Gods. The ashas also used a secret elixir that gave them the ability to see into the past and future. The board is out, the pieces set and the Mongrel is the catalyst that sets the game in motion.

Outstanding book! I stayed up WAY too late to finish reading Blood's Pride, but as many readers would agree, it was totally worth the loss of sleep. The first thing I like about this book is how there is no main character, but multiple story lines told from many different characters' voices. As the story progresses the separate story lines slowly merge for the ultimate finale. Yes, the names are not mainstream, but what do you expect from fantasy books? John, Bob, Jane? The names fit the world, and if they really annoy you, just make up a nickname instead. Speaking of worlds, Ms. Manieri did a wonderful job creating a stunningly visual world to wrap around her characters. While I am not usually a fan of description overkill, like a Charles Dickens book I had to read in high school, the author left enough up to the reader's imagination. There were a couple of spots where the pace seemed to lag a bit, but not unexpected when reading a 500+ page book, and not enough to make me put the book down! The book is the first in a three part series, and Ms. Manieri sets the second story up nicely. The major points in this book are resolved, but new dangers arise and....you'll have to wait for book two! Awww!! I give this book 4 stars and 2 flames. If you are a fan of Maria V. Snyder, Patrick Rothfuss, Jacqueline Carey, and Terry Brooks I think you will truly enjoy Blood's Pride.

I requested this book for review on Netgalley.com